Friday, August 30, 2013

Was Ever Woman in This Humor Wooed?

In Act 1, Scene 2, Richard woos Lady Anne, the daughter-in-law of the former Henry VI, whom Richard killed, and the widow of Edward, the former Prince of Wales, whom Richard also killed. For most of the scene she curses Richard, comparing him to poisonous or vicious animals and even the devil himself.   For example she says," Never hung poison on a fouler toad. / Out of my sight! Thous dost infect mine eyes." (1.2.161-2).   Yet, by end of the scene she not only refuses to kill Richard, she is wearing his ring as a token of affection.  How are we to make sense of this scene?  Has she been seduced by Richard?  Does she begin to believe his words and love him?  Or is she merely resigned to her fate and cannot resist his encroachments?  Or perhaps she thinks he is her best chance at regaining prestige and power at court?  What is really going on between Richard and Lady Anne?